Journey Across the Globe: How World Travel Became One Man’s Therapy for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
A remarkable story is sparking global conversations about mental health and unconventional paths to healing, as an American man’s quest to visit every country in the world helped him confront lifelong obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and shape a narrative of resilience and connection. His journey, chronicled in a recent CNN feature, offers fresh insights with far-reaching implications—including for readers in Thailand—about how challenging oneself in unfamiliar settings may support mental wellbeing.
Traveling with OCD was never about mere adventure for this individual, who grew up grappling with relentless cycles of troubling thoughts and a need for control—hallmarks of OCD as defined by the Mayo Clinic’s characterization of “unwanted thoughts and fears (obsessions)” that drive repetitive behaviors (Mayo Clinic). Instead, travel became a lifeline. In the words of the world traveler, “OCD feeds on control: controlling your environment, routines, and outcomes. But when you’re navigating chaotic borders, sleeping on floors, or figuring things out in countries where you don’t speak the language, you’re forced to surrender control. It’s uncomfortable, but also freeing.” This sense of liberation from rigid routines was key to his healing process.